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New intel re Lithium Orotate
I have discussed previously that I have mild cognitive dysfunction and after two rounds of neuropsych testing over two years and Lab & imaging testing confirming my clinical profile, I am taking Lithium Orotate as a nutritional supplement. But I consume professional intel on studies religiously. Like this one.
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/lecanemab-or-lithium-compare-benefits-risks-and-dose
The key question that stood out to me which the physician author (Dr Phelps) asks in his review of studies is below. I highly emcourage reading this. You have to follow some links and jump back and forth a bit but make the effort. For those of you fond of calculating elemental lithium there is a section on calculating equivalent dosing to the mice study.
“Brain lithium prevents amyloid plaque formation and phosphorylation of tau proteins. In the process of AD dementia, lithium is sequestered in plaques, creating a positive feedback loop: more plaque, less lithium, leading to more plaque, and so on. Giving lithium orotate to young adult mice almost completely prevented plaque formation and tau phosphorylation. Starting lithium orotate after plaques and phosphorylated tau have already formed almost completely reversed the expected cognitive impairment. Lithium carbonate is far less effective. If all this were true in humans, lithium orotate would be an obvious treatment both to prevent AD dementia and to treat it once detected.
Of course, skeptics’ first response has been “these are mouse data.” Aron et al point out that lithium levels in human and mouse brains are comparable, supporting the relevance of mouse models for studying the biological effects of lithium. Skeptics, including a prominent neurologist following a national presentation on AD treatment, have said that we should wait for a randomized trial of lithium orotate in humans (personal communication, August 2025). But the recent lithium carbonate randomized trial took 8 years to mount and complete. What shall we suggest to patients and families for the next 8 years?
A healthy lifestyle—including a Mediterranean-like diet, regular physical activity, and avoidance of smoking, excessive alcohol, social isolation, sleep disorders, and hearing loss—is an important means of preserving cognitive function in people at risk of developing dementia.
The subsequent article will compare lecanemab and lithium’s benefits, risks, and costs. With ApoE genotyping and the new pTau/amyloid blood test, patients and families need help now deciding between treatment alternatives.”
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The linked articles are very helpful! My wife has AD at an early stage . I have been using 4 mg of LO, but this article clearly suggests 12 + mg is appropriate. Have you changed your dosing? As I have noted previously, it is hard to measure outcomes in a sample of 1.
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1 ReactionYay pb50!!!
The article is not too hard to follow, and it gives good reasons to take lithium orotate, not the least of which are that it's very safe (and very low cost).
I'm increasing my daily to 15mgs.
Thank you!
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1 Reaction@ralpha4 i am staging up from 5 to 12 slowly - pure brand has 1mg Capsules so I will go up in 2mg increments.
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2 Reactions@edsutton careful. I don’t know that i see a rationalization to take more than the human equivalent of the mouse dose that was so effective. On the ither hand that is still a miniscule amount compared to doses of that given for bipolar.
That's a great report about Lithium Orotate. Thanks for posting it. My LO, age 82, was diagnosed with alzheimers in Nov 2024 but had signs of memory issues several years prior. The neurologist started her on Memantine and later added Donepezil. A blood test revealed she had one Apeo4 gene. Next the neurologist recommended Leqembi infusions but the local center is backed up 5-6 months for the initial interview. We found a more near-term center in Charlotte and she will be seeing a neurologist there in two weeks.
Meanwhile after reading the Harvard report on Lithium Orotate I started her on 10mg last August. I put myself, age 85, on it too. There's no way to evaluate if it is helping her or not but I believe she has leveled out in terms of her short term memory, which is her major deficit. Right now I'm not sure if Leqembi is in her future. The negatives are daunting. I'll keep everyone posted.
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2 Reactions@longboat1 please do. I also have one instance of APOE4,
Coupled with profound family history of AD. I am 75 and my
primary issues are sustaining train of thought (what did I come in here for?), retrieving words when I need or want them, and remembering names at time I need them (but to be fair I dont think that part of my brain has ever been highlyfunctional).
And yea, we can’t be a sample of
One and we can’t be our own control. But we can communicate our experience and learnings with each other.
I struggled with the decision of whether to risk dementia or a cerebral hemorrhage. I decided to go all in on tracking activities of others who might influence options to deter AD. But that’s just me. I have read some
People’s experience that is fine
Where do you live if I may ask?
@pb50 we live in Spartanburg, SC
@longboat1
I am in Greensboro NC but i used to know Sparkle City fairly well 🙂
@pb50
I re-read the Psychiatric Times dose calculations - the 12 mg are based on a 154 pound weight. Everyone should do a weight adjusted dose calculation.
Good catch!! I will go back and re-read as well. Thanks!!